Proteolysis Research Group

Group is headed by Professor Nigel Hooper and Professor Tony Turner.

The research in our laboratories is focused principally on the biological characterization of a number of mammalian membrane associated proteins that are either proteases/peptidases or are proteolytically cleaved. Altered proteolytic processing is involved in diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, hypertension, atherosclerosis and the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (CJD, mad cow disease and scrapie).

We use a variety of biochemical, biophysical, molecular biological and cell biological techniques to investigate the structure and function of these proteins, in order not only to increase our knowledge of the molecular and cellular basis for their function but also in the hope of identifying new therapeutic targets for the above diseases which are of major socio-economic importance.

Our two research groups currently number some 20 personnel including post-doctoral fellows, post-graduate students and technicians, and are funded by the Medical Research Council, the BBSRC, the Wellcome Trust, the British Heart Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, Yorkshire Cancer Research and the National Heart Research Fund. We are part of the Molecular Cell Biology research group of the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology within the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds.

In October 2004 Professor Hooper's research group moved into the new purpose built £10M LIGHT Laboratories. This building is a central part of the Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health and Therapeutics (LIGHT), an interdisciplinary venture between the Faculty of Medicine and Health and the Faculty of Biological Sciences that focuses on complex chronic diseases, specifically thrombosis and cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and certain cancers. The LIGHT research ethos is to understand disease mechanisms at the molecular and cellular level, to conduct large, multi-centre molecular epidemiological studies required to detect interactions between genetic and environmental factors, and to allow the opportunity for a rapid transfer of research knowledge to a clinical setting.

In late 2005 Professor Turner’s research group moved into refurbished laboratory accommodation within the Garstang Building. 

For Ph.D. opportunities see:
(http://www.findaphd.com/search/showproject.asp?projectid=3409)
(http://www.findaphd.com/search/showproject.asp?projectid=2672)